3 Days in Munich: The Ultimate Itinerary (Oktoberfest, Castles & Day Trips)

September is one of the best times of year to visit Munich, especially if you want a mix of great weather, lively atmosphere, and seasonal events.

During our visit in late September, daytime temperatures were comfortably mild, with highs typically around 65–70°F (18–21°C) and cooler mornings and evenings.

We found it perfect for walking around the city, sightseeing, and spending long hours outdoors at beer gardens and Oktoberfest.

September is also when Oktoberfest begins (usually mid-September through early October), which brings a huge energy boost to the city.

Hotels book up quickly, prices rise, and crowds are larger—especially on weekends—but the atmosphere is unforgettable.

If Oktoberfest is on your bucket list, September is the time to go!

What to pack for Munich in September:

• Comfortable walking shoes (you’ll rack up steps quickly)
• Layers for cooler mornings and evenings
• A light jacket or sweater
• A small crossbody or day bag for sightseeing and festivals

If you’re visiting Munich in early September or outside of Oktoberfest dates, you’ll still enjoy pleasant weather and fewer crowds, making it a great time for sightseeing, markets, and day trips around Bavaria.

We traveled from Frankfurt to Munich by train, arriving mid-morning at München Hauptbahnhof (Hbf).

From there, we walked to our hotel, Aparthotel Adagio München City, to store our luggage before heading back out for the day.

Staying near the main train station was such a smart move—it made arrival seamless and saved us a ton of time on our first day, especially after an early start.

Once our bags were dropped, we made our way toward Theresienwiese, the massive open fairground where Oktoberfest takes place each year.

If you’re visiting Munich during Oktoberfest season, there’s no better way to kick off your trip!

After walking to Theresienwiese, we spent the afternoon:

• Exploring the festival grounds
• Grabbing a seat inside one of the iconic beer tents
• Enjoying traditional Bavarian food, live music, and the electric Oktoberfest atmosphere

Even as first-timers without reservations, we had no trouble finding a table by arriving earlier in the day and staying flexible (we also visited on a Monday).

Oktoberfest can feel overwhelming at first—between the crowds, tents, and sheer scale of it all—but having a loose plan made the experience so much more enjoyable.

We focused on soaking it all in rather than trying to “do everything” and had the best time!

👉 For a full breakdown of what Oktoberfest is really like, including tent recommendations and first-timer tips, check out my detailed Oktoberfest in Munich guide.

If you’re visiting Munich outside of Oktoberfest season—or just want a more relaxed first day—the historic city center is a perfect alternative.

Here you can spend the afternoon exploring:

• Marienplatz, Munich’s lively central square
• The New Town Hall, home to the famous Glockenspiel
• Frauenkirche, Munich’s iconic twin-towered cathedral
• Viktualienmarkt, a bustling food market ideal for lunch or snacks

This area is compact, walkable, and packed with character, making it ideal for easing into the city.

More on these spots later, since we visited all of them on our third day in Munich!

If you still have energy after a full day, Munich has plenty to offer after dark. You can:

• Relax at a traditional beer garden, tucked under chestnut trees
• Head to Glockenbachviertel or Schwabing for bars and nightlife

We personally kept things low-key after Oktoberfest—picked up groceries, had a casual dinner near the hotel, and called it an early night—but these are great options if you want to experience Munich after dark.

One of the biggest reasons Munich is such a great base is how easy it is to explore Bavaria beyond the city, and Neuschwanstein Castle is the most popular day trip for a reason!

We booked a full-day guided tour of Neuschwanstein Castle from Munich, which made the experience completely stress-free, and had an amazing time.

Transportation, tickets, and timing were all handled for us, allowing us to focus on the scenery and the experience instead of logistics.

Highlights of our day included:

• Scenic Bavarian countryside views along the Romantic Road
• Super fun bike ride around Alpsee and the village of Hohenschwangau
• Touring the fairytale interiors of Neuschwanstein Castle (so beautiful!)
• Iconic photo spots like Marienbrücke (Queen Mary’s Bridge)

It’s a long day but absolutely worth it. If this is your first time in Munich, Neuschwanstein is a must.

👉 Check out my honest review of our Neuschwanstein Castle day trip from Munich, including what the tour was really like, what to bring, and whether it’s worth the time.

After returning to Munich from our long (but incredible) day in Bavaria, we headed out for dinner at Vinothek—and it ended up being one of our favorite meals of our whole Germany trip!

The vibe was lively but cozy, the wine list was excellent, and everything we ordered was delicious.

It was the perfect way to unwind after a full day—and a welcome contrast to the high-energy beer tents.

This is a great spot if you’re looking for something a little more relaxed, food-forward, and local after a big day trip.

If you didn’t do these already on day 1, spend your final morning soaking up Munich’s classic sights.

We started at Frauenkirche, the iconic symbol of Munich, then stopped by St. Michael’s Church, known for its impressive Renaissance architecture.

Next, we popped into the flagship LEGO Store at Marienplatz, which opened in 2022 and is now the largest LEGO store in Germany. Even if you’re not a LEGO fanatic, it’s surprisingly fun (and very popular).

From there, we wandered through Marienplatz, admiring the ornate New Town Hall and its famous Glockenspiel.

The 15-minute mechanical clock show features 43 bells and 32 hand-carved, wooden figures that reenact 16th-century Bavarian historical scenes, including a royal wedding joust and the “Coopers’ Dance”—definitely worth timing your visit around and seeing at least once!

It runs at 11 am and 12 pm, with a special 9 pm performance each night and an additional performance at 5 pm from March–October.

Afterward, we explored Viktualienmarkt, Munich’s beloved food market.

We grabbed a couple of beers, shared a snack, browsed the vendor stalls, and I picked up an ornament—something I love collecting from all of my trips around the world.

We also stopped into Hofbräuhaus, the world-famous beer hall founded in 1589 by Duke Wilhelm V.

Known for its massive halls, live brass music, and traditional Maß mugs of beer, it’s touristy—but still worth seeing at least once.

If you’re visiting during Oktoberfest season, you can also consider heading back to the festival to:

• Climb inside Lady Bavaria’s head for views over Theresienwiese
• Explore carnival rides and games
• Eat lots of Bavarian food (I personally loved the fried squid!)

After spending the entire afternoon at Theresienwiese, we were able to see Oktoberfest at night, which felt completely different from our first daytime visit—more energetic, louder, and undeniably more intense.

Experiencing the festival at different times of day was so much fun, and it’s something I’d highly recommend if your schedule allows.

If you have an extra day in your itinerary, adding a day trip to Salzburg, Austria is 100% worth it.

We took an early train from Munich to Salzburg and arrived in less than two hours, making it an easy and rewarding side trip.

Salzburg is compact, walkable, and packed with charm—especially if you’re a fan of baroque architecture, scenic viewpoints, or The Sound of Music, a movie I used to watch all the time with my grandma and one that made visiting Salzburg feel especially meaningful.

Highlights from our day included:

• Riding the funicular up to Hohensalzburg Fortress for panoramic city views
• Wandering through Salzburg’s Old Town (Altstadt)
• Visiting Mozart’s Birthplace
• Taking The Original Sound of Music Tour in Salzburg
• Exploring Mirabell Gardens, one of the most photographed spots in the city

Even if you’re not a Sound of Music fan, Salzburg’s setting and history make it a fantastic contrast to Munich.

👉 I’ll be sharing a full, step-by-step guide to spending one day in Salzburg—including the best viewpoints, walking routes, and tour options—in a dedicated post, so stay tuned!

Munich has a wide range of accommodations, but where you stay can make a big difference—especially if you’re visiting during Oktoberfest.

We stayed at Aparthotel Adagio München City, and it was a great fit for our trip.

The apartment-style setup made it easy for our group of four to get ready together, and having a little extra space was especially nice after long sightseeing days.

The location was also convenient, with easy access to public transportation and just a short walk to Oktoberfest and the city center.

We paid just under $2,000 total for two rooms for three nights, which is very typical (and honestly expected) for Munich during Oktoberfest season.

Where to stay based on your trip style:

• For Oktoberfest: Look for hotels near Munich Central Station (Hauptbahnhof) or along the U-Bahn lines that serve Theresienwiese. You’ll save time and avoid late-night transport stress.
• For sightseeing: Staying near Marienplatz or the Altstadt puts you within walking distance of many top attractions.
• For more space or groups: Aparthotels or serviced apartments (like Adagio) are ideal if you’re traveling with friends or family.

A Broad Recommendation: Book as early as possible if you’re visiting in September—prices rise quickly, and availability disappears fast.

Munich is one of the easiest cities in Europe to get around, even if it’s your first time visiting Germany.

• Walking: The historic center is compact and walkable, and many of Munich’s main sights are clustered close together.
• Public Transportation: Munich’s public transportation system is excellent and easy to use:
  • U-Bahn (subway)
  • S-Bahn (commuter trains)
  • Trams and buses

You can purchase single tickets or day passes, and Google Maps works perfectly for navigating routes and schedules.

Munich is also an ideal base for day trips. We took:

• A guided bus tour to Neuschwanstein Castle
• A direct train to Salzburg, Austria

Munich’s central station makes it incredibly easy to explore beyond the city without renting a car.

Yes—3 days in Munich is enough to experience the city’s highlights without feeling rushed, especially if it’s your first visit.

With three full days, you can:

• Explore Munich’s historic center, beer gardens, and food markets
• Experience Oktoberfest (or Munich’s beer culture outside of festival season)
• Take an unforgettable day trip to Neuschwanstein Castle
• Still have time for relaxed meals, wandering, and soaking up Bavarian culture

Munich is also an excellent home base for day trips, which is why many travelers choose to extend their stay or add nearby destinations like Salzburg, the Bavarian Alps, or even the Rhine Valley.

We personally loved using Munich as a hub—it gave us a mix of city energy and storybook scenery without constantly packing up and moving hotels.

If you’re short on time, this 3-day Munich itinerary hits the sweet spot. If you have more flexibility, adding an extra day (or two) lets you slow the pace or explore beyond the city.

Q: How many days do you need in Munich?

Three days is the perfect amount of time to experience Munich’s highlights, especially if one day is dedicated to Oktoberfest.

With an extra day, adding a nearby destination like Salzburg is very doable.

Q: Is Munich worth visiting outside of Oktoberfest?

Absolutely. Oktoberfest adds a unique layer to the city, but Munich is worth visiting year-round for its history, architecture, parks, beer gardens, and access to Bavaria’s most famous sights.

I would personally love to go back for Christmas markets!

Q: Is Munich expensive?

Munich is one of Germany’s more expensive cities, particularly for hotels.

Food, public transportation, and attractions are fairly reasonable, but prices increase noticeably during Oktoberfest.

Q: Do you need to speak German to visit Munich?

No. English is widely spoken, especially in restaurants, hotels, and tourist areas. Learning a few basic German phrases is always appreciated but not required.

Q: Is Munich family-friendly?

Yes! Especially during the daytime, Munich is very family-friendly. Parks, museums, food markets, and even Oktoberfest (earlier in the day) are popular with local families.

Munich is one of those cities that manages to feel both lively and laid-back at the same time.

Between Oktoberfest’s once-a-year energy, fairytale castles just outside the city, historic squares, and easy day trips, Munich offers an incredible mix of culture, fun, and accessibility.

Whether you’re clinking beer steins at Oktoberfest, wandering through the Old Town, or hopping on a train to the Alps or Austria, Munich makes travel feel effortless.

If you’re planning a trip to Germany—especially in the fall—Munich deserves a spot on your itinerary!

And if you’re short on time? This 3-day plan gives you a little bit of everything without feeling rushed.

👉 Wondering where to visit next? We started our 10-day Germany itinerary in Frankfurt. Check out One Day in Frankfurt: Great Things To Do in Frankfurt and 5 Unforgettable & Easy Day Trips from Frankfurt to help plan your route.

Happy traveling, and Prost!

XOXO Sara at Travel A-Broads